Lorna Lee (McTier) Hilliard

TOWNSHIP OF DOUGLAS – Lorna Lee (McTier) Hilliard, age 96, passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2026, with her daughters by her side.

Lorna was born on January 27, 1930, to Henry Louis McTier and Ella Louise Koberstein on the family farm in rural Endeavor. Lorna was one of three children. Her siblings were Donna Jean (Rex Chapman) and William J. McTier (Mona North McTier).

Lorna attended Douglas Center Grade School and was a 1948 graduate of Endeavor High School. She then moved to Portage to begin employment with Atkinson’s Department Store as a bookkeeper and for Jenkins Oil/Motor Co. In 1952, Lorna was a runner-up for the Miss Hiawatha Pageant as part of the Portage Centennial Celebration.

Lorna met a young sailor, Edmund V. Hilliard, and they married at St. Mary Catholic Church in1952. They enjoyed 62 years of happy marriage. Their children were Janice Mary (Jeff Grothman), and Denise Lori (Ken Martin). Lorna retired to her garden and her grandchildren in 1992, after many years working at RayoVac, Portage.

Lorna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edmund; and her siblings. She is survived by her children, Janice Grothman (Jeff) and Denise Martin (Ken); her grandchildren, Kristi Rickey (Kelly), Jeffrey Grothman (Kristen), Katie Fleck (Brandon), Jordan Achartz (Jim), and Garrett Martin (Brittany); her great-grandchildren, Abby and Emma Grothman, Addison and Carson Achartz; other relatives and many friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Briggsville, with Fr. Randy Timmerman presiding. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Briggsville. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church on Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Briggsville American Legion Auxiliary or St. Mary Catholic Church Women’s Group, Briggsville, or have a Mass said for Lorna.

The family is grateful for the kind and special attention given to Lorna by the caring staff at Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital, Aspirus Home Health, Aspirus Tivoli and Agrace Hospice Care.

Make the most of all of the days and be ready to accept what tomorrow brings.  Enjoy the journey, treasure it, but never lose sight of the destination. Getting to Heaven is the ultimate goal.

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home, in Portage, is assisting the family.